Is This Enough ||MxM || Lgbtq+ [ON Hiatus]

Chapter 10

Leonardo's P.O.V

I was awoken by the tantalizing aroma of breakfast. To my surprise, Vinnie opened the living door with a tray filled with the most mouth-watering spread I'd ever seen - pancakes, bananas, assorted berries, bacon, and syrup! I could definitely get used to this. His black shirt was hugging his muscular frame and his grey sweatpants and white and black sneakers completed the look. He possessed a dapper appearance with two gleaming pieces of jewellery adorning his hands. "You're up! Fantastic. I didn't know what you liked, so I made a little bit of everything!"

He placed the tray carefully on the coffee table and then slumped against the wall. I wished I was that wall. Seeing that his plate was missing, I asked. "Where's yours?"

"I already ate. Don't worry."

"Thank you." I held up the sizzling slab of bacon with awe and admiration. The way it glistened in the light, it was cooked to perfection. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside - exactly the way I enjoy it.

He locked eyes with me before speaking, "You're welcome to stay here for as long as you'd like."

Oh gosh, how do I put this? "Man, I hate to say this, I really appreciate the offer, but I'm only planning on sticking around till this lockdown is over." I watched as his gaze shifted to his phone, his face falling as he attempted to conceal his disappointment. This was just the way it had to be. Eager to change the topic, I asked, "What's got you so dolled up? Anything special going on today?"

He pocketed his phone and announced, "I'm going to meet up with a buddy, so I won't be back for a while."

"Okay, see you in a bit."

He gave a quick wave as he moved to leave the room, spun back around with a sudden thought, "Oh shoot! I almost forgot; the water is functioning normally again."

After Vinnie left, I finished my meal. I needed to take a steaming hot shower to get rid of the awful stench that was all over me. My mind raced as I thought of Acrima. What kind of punishments would I face for coming back late? Yes, it was 2050 but racism was still alive and well, and being a black man didn't help.

I certainly wasn't the epitome of an Ambassador Coordinator! I felt like I was more of a hitman at this point. Was being bad part of my nature? I was hitting on a dude while a criminal was running amok.

Suddenly, I was doused in cold water, jolting me back to reality. OH MY GOD! Time to get outta here! I fled the bathroom and grabbed a towel to dry myself off.

When I stepped into the room, I was reminded of my wardrobe deficiency. My gaze fell upon the spot where I had first laid eyes on him and a strong surge of feeling engulfed me. There, neatly folded, was a comfortable black hoodie and sweatpants, with a note attached that read, 'It's about time we got you some new threads (:'

After getting dressed, I went downstairs and beelined for the tray. On my way to the kitchen, my eyes were met with the sight of the fresh ingredients Vinnie had gathered for the meals. But then, it happened. A putrid stench smacked my nostrils. Analysing the source of the smell, I found the culprit--the refrigerator!

I grabbed some antibacterial wipes from the counter and went to town scrubbing each and every compartment of the fridge before pushing them back into place. After that, it was time to tackle the dishes. It took me half an hour of scrubbing and drying before I was done. Now it was time to clean the rest of the house.

I took a seat in the living room and, as I switched on the television, the all-too-familiar jingle of my cell phone echoed throughout the hallway. I practically flew up the stairs, dreading the thought of who it could be. Lo and behold, it was Mr. Walker on the other end of the line. Dread and fear filled my veins as I answered the call, knowing full well that I was in for a world of hurt.

[Conversation with Mr Walker]

"Where the heck have you been? I haven't seen you since the time that one of those creatures stepped all over you." He spoke in a patronizing manner. A blazing inferno of fury simmered in my veins that I could barely contain. I wanted to scream at him to take a long walk off a short pier, yet I knew that would be detrimental to my career. I pulled out all the stops and told the most elaborate lie I've ever spun.

"I don't know where I am."

His voice rose to a deafening level as he yelled, "What do you mean, don't you have any idea? What is wrong with you? I should have never trusted you with this position! You're probably getting your buttfucked as we speak."

"What makes you to believe I'm gay?" My voice wavered with emotion. He must have had a sixth sense. I was so good at keeping my sexuality concealed, so much so that I was voted likely to married young!

"You were ogling James's behind, and it made him feel uncomfortable."

"N-no sir, I never checked him out. He's clearly making this up!"

Mr Walker snarled in frustration. "I don't give a damn! After the lockdown, I expect you back in Acrima - and if you don't, James will come and retrieve you himself, even if he has to do it by the roots of your hair Also, keep me in the loop if you're feeling any side effects."

"No, I—" I attempted to plead my case, but before I could even finish articulating my ideas, he had already hung up the phone. In a fit of frustration, I slammed my cell onto the coffee table and plopped down into the nearby chair, feeling completely and utterly overwhelmed. As the salty drops clung to my lashes, I made a beeline for the bathroom. No matter how hard I tried, they wouldn't go away.

Gazing into the reflective surface, I saw something unfamiliar. A figure had taken my place, smirking at me with a mocking expression. My muscles tensed and I leaned forward, pressing my palms against the cold marble sink.

"Who the fuck are you?" I said.

"I'm you, but not a fuck up."

I pressed my hand against the mirror, and to my surprise, I saw my reflection mimic my actions. I couldn't believe it was happening. "Wake up!" I shouted to myself, wishing that this surreal scene would end. I splashed my face with cold water numerous times, but it was all in vain. My double's face was still there, distorted in laughter, but I couldn't find any humour in this confusing situation.

He shook his head in disbelief, a sneer of contempt on his face as he uttered the words, "Geez, what a bummer. Nobody seems to care about you - it's pathetic really."

"That's enough!" I cried out, pounding my fists against the glass. "Fuck off!" My face was wet with tears as I let out a wail of despair. I just wanted to be alone.

My double let out a maniacal cackle, as if he had willed the situation to occur. Startled, I darted downstairs and balled my hand into a fist, feeling the sticky warmth of my own blood. I ransacked the kitchen for something to stop the bleeding, to no avail. In a moment of frustration, I resorted to using tissues to bind my wound. I sank to the floor, overwhelmed with confusion. What was going on?

I'm really concerned about Leo; I'm hoping that he's doing okay. Appreciate you taking the time to read this. <3